Kwanzaa Karamu (Kwanzaa Feast)
Kwanzaa (the Swahili word for "the first" or "the first fruits of the harvest") is a celebration of family, community and culture. Although there is no set menu, meals often include traditional foods from any of the African countries. On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, December 31, the Kwanzaa karamu (feast) is celebrated. Whether you are having a small get-together or a large community gathering, you can use part or all of this festive menu.
Make it Special!
Because Kwanzaa spans from December 26 through January 1 and is constantly evolving, there is lots of time and opportunity to include special activities and invent your own traditions, rituals and ways of celebrating. Use the seven principles on which Kwanzaa is based as a vital part of your celebration: Unity (Umoja), Self-Determination (Kujichagulia), Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima), Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa), Purpose (Nia), Creativity (Kuumba) and Faith (Imani).
Decorate
- Decorate with the Kwanzaa colors of black, red and green.
- Include these items for celebrating:
o Flag (bendera ya taifa)
o Poster of the seven principles (nguzo saba)
o Straw mat (mkeka)
o Candleholder (kinara) with 3 red, 1 black and 3 green candles
o Bowl of fruit and vegetables (mazao)
o Ears of corn (muhindi)
o Unity cup or goblet (kikombe cha umoja)
o African art
o Books about Africans and African culture
Family Activities
- Create a family tree. Talk about your ancestors and relatives while sharing photographs.
- Create a song or story.
- Enjoy movies (from the library or rented) on African culture.
- Make gifts to share (in addition to the gifts to children of a heritage symbol and book given on January 1). A few food gifts include: Rosemary-Garlic Vinegar, Lickety-Split Spoons and Chex® Caramel Corn.
Preparation Guide
Up to 2 months before
- Make Coriander Bread; store tightly wrapped in freezer.
- Make Cheese-Garlic Biscuits; store tightly wrapped in aluminum foil in freezer.
- Make Butter-Rum Pound Cake, except do not frost. Store tightly covered in freezer.
Up to 1 Day Before
- Make Colorful Black Bean Salad; store covered in refrigerator.
- Make Squash and Bean Soup; store covered in refrigerator.
- Remove cake from freezer; frost cake. Store loosely covered.
About 10 Hours Before Serving
- Make Slow Cooker Jambalaya.
The Morning Of
- Cut up onion, squash and yams for African Squash and Yams; cover and refrigerate.
- Remove bread and biscuits from freezer; store at room temperature.
About 1 Hour Before Guests Arrive
- Make Spicy Corn Fritters; keep warm in oven following recipe tip.
About 1 1/2 Hours Before Serving
- Make Moroccan Chicken with Olives.
About 30 Minutes Before Guests Arrive
About 25 Minutes Before Serving
- Make African Squash and Yams.
- Make Hot and Spicy Greens.
- Heat Squash and Bean Soup.
About 10 Minutes Before Serving
- Heat biscuits in alumnimun foil in 350°F oven until hot.
About 30 Minutes Before Dessert
- Make Banana-Coconut Bake.